Empathy is the understanding of or sensitivity to others feelings and experiences. It is a developing trait across childhood and can greatly vary between children based on age, predisposition and experiences. There are several ways parents can coach the component pieces of emotion language and perspective taking. Coach Emotion Language – Children being able to … Continue reading Encouraging Children’s Empathy
I made this list when we stayed home for yet another Spring Break, and thought it would be equally helpful to share at the start of summer! There are so many great things to do in the Northern Virginia area. The Smithsonian- Our family’s favorite museums include the Natural History Museum, the two Air and Space … Continue reading Northern Virginia Staycation (Updated 2017)
A child’s social competence is most simply defined as their ability to play while keeping friends. If the other kids are happy when your child shows up, they want to continue playing with them and the play tends to go well most of the time then their social skills are likely developing at least fairly … Continue reading Your Child’s Social Skills and Play
I just saw the first weather prediction map for this winter. It looks just as bad as last year. Of course, it’s still great to get kids outside in rain and snow, but sometimes the weather is too bad, or they are just ready to be back inside. Last year, I posted a list of … Continue reading Ideas for Active Indoor Play
Playdates give kids an opportunity to build individual friendships and practice related social skills. Playdates can be brief – An hour is plenty for young children or children who don’t know each other well. Older children that get along well can often handle longer stretches. Balance unstructured and structured time – Unstructured is open play … Continue reading All About Playdates
A foundation piece of self-esteem is a child’s growing sense of skills and abilities. Are they being challenged? Are they learning new things? An easy way to build this in is giving challenges in play. If they are building with blocks, challenge them to build it taller. If they are climbing, challenge them to do … Continue reading Giving Challenges Builds Self Esteem
As a parent, I know the familiar frustrations: There are so many toys and activities in the house, and the kids are complaining they are bored. You have to get dinner ready and want them to play with toys, but they are under-foot. They finally find something to play with, and it lasts 6 minutes … Continue reading Want Kids to Play with Their Toys?
It can be difficult when your child seems to need a playmate all day. If you aren’t playing with them, they complain they are bored or just wander and whine. It is a good skill in life to be able to occupy your own time. Here are several ways to encourage independent play: First, pinpoint any particular needy … Continue reading Ways to Encourage Independent Play
Summer days can be a great time for siblings to spend real time together and play. These can also be days full of bickering, name calling and short tempers. Here are a few ideas to give them elbow room and hopefully improve their time together. Get them outside – I was talking to a mom … Continue reading Sibling Tips for Summer
Dear Dr. Rene, I am feeling stuck in a difficult situation. I have three children under five years old, and have been fortunate to be friends with our neighbor who has four children, three in the same age range. It was a great situation, we live so close and the kids enjoyed playing together. Unfortunately, one of … Continue reading A Friend’s Child is Aggressive
Parenting by Dr. Rene 